This analytical essay proposes the notion of disjointed polarization to characterize the nature of polarization in contemporary Chile. In disjointed polarization, elite-level polarization does not lead to a successful electoral realignment. Disjointed polarization is thus consistent with a long-lasting crisis of representation in which a serial disconnect between politicians (pursuing different polarizing strategies) and a sizable fraction of the electorate persists, as voters remain alienated from old and emerging political elites. Because the structural changes that make disjointed polarization persist longer than expected in Chile today are widespread across Latin America, the essay speculates on the possibility that enduring disjointed polarization applies to other cases where neither a “populist realignment” nor “generative polarization” took place. Instead, disjointed polarization might reflect the onset of a new (non-partisan representation) normal.

中文翻译：

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智利持久的代表权危机中脱节的两极分化


这篇分析文章提出了脱节极化的概念来描述当代智利极化的本质。在脱节的两极分化中，精英层面的两极分化不会导致成功的选举重组。因此，脱节的两极分化与长期持续的代表权危机是一致的，在这种危机中，政客（追求不同的两极分化策略）和相当一部分选民之间的一系列脱节持续存在，因为选民仍然与旧的和新兴的政治精英疏远。由于导致智利脱节极化持续时间比预期更长的结构性变化在整个拉丁美洲都很普遍，因此本文推测持久脱节极化是否适用于既没有发生“民粹主义重组”也没有发生“生成性极化”的其他情况。相反，脱节的两极分化可能反映出一种新的（无党派代表）常态的开始。